Panning 2 Track Wav Files

[bwindsor]

Even though I'm a strong believer in "if it sounds good, it is good", I've got myself second guessing on a project that's not within my normal "expertise"..
I've been hired to "lite-master" a CD (due to budget), and after loading the wav files of the final mixes (another studio), I'm questioning whether or not to leave the left and right tracks centered, or pan them hard left and hard right ? To be honest, I prefer the sound of the panned tracks, albeit there is a slight volume drop I need to make up, but I perceive a wider stereo image doing this, sounds "nicer" to me.........am I crazy ? Client heard both versions and preferred the centered tracks, but that could have been just because they were louder
Thanks for any suggestions on what is "normal", or better yet, what should never be done.....as alluded to, I'm a mix engineer, so not having done this often, don't want to miss Basics 101, if you know what I mean

Many thanks in advance

[huejahfink]

If I get you correctly, then yes the L and R channels from the mix "should" be panned 100% Left and Right.

Of course if you do feel that it sounds better bringing them central, then fair enough. But what you are creating by the sound of things is a mono mix.

[bwindsor]

huejahfink,

That's my feeling when I hear it, not "wide" enough, too one dimensional......"but", wanted to hear opinions from those with more "expertise", just in case !! Thanks for responding, much appreciated ! BW

[Rob Murray]

Not to pick on you but you answered your own question here...

Originally Posted by bwindsor

I'm questioning whether or not to leave the left and right tracks centered, or pan them hard left and hard right ?

Left and Right should be Left and Right, not Centered unless you're trying to bring back mono.

[bwindsor]

You're right Rob, I should have said Track 1 and Track 2 (in hindsight)....we'll, re-reading this, either way I do see what you mean
On a side note, on most of my own mixes, I can clearly distinguish the individual panning of instruments, but for some reason (maybe the mix engineer is not as "radical" as I tend to be with panning), it's not as obvious to me what's goig on here......that too seems to be clouding judgement.

[wado1942]

Why do people mix to two separate L/R files anyway? It's so much easier to use a single, stereo, interleaved file.